Where To Eat, Stay & Play In Wagga Wagga

It may be known as the land of many crows, but Wagga Wagga and surrounds are fast evolving into the land of boutique stays, quality coffee, gourmet restaurants, fine wines and rich cultural experiences.

Planted alongside the Murrumbidgee River near the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales’ Riverina region is Wagga Wagga. Translated as ‘the land of many crows’ from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal language, the inland city is emerging as one of the state’s most idyllic weekend escapes. We’ve uncovered the best places to eat, stay and play while you’re there.

Wagga Wagga restaurants

Dig into a selection of exquisite meals at these top restaurants and cafes in Wagga Wagga.

Larry’s

Larry’s , formerly known as 10BestSt, is located on one of the main streets in the centre of town and is one of the most popular cafes in Wagga Wagga. The specialty coffee roasters serve up excellent coffee alongside a well-rounded breakfast menu. You’ll find old favourites such as eggs benedict, smashed avocado, eggs your way and toasted muesli served with seasonal fruits and yoghurt, as well as a selection of tasty sides to build your own ideal dish.

Address: 10 Best Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Fitz Cafe

At first glance, Fitz Cafe looks like a tiny takeaway cafe with limited outdoor seating, but step inside through the door to the left and you’ll find the cafe’s cosy indoor seating area. Industrial-looking lights dangle from the jungle growth of greenery on the ceiling and chilled tunes play over the speakers. Sit and enjoy a coffee and one of the many treats from the cafe’s counter cabinet or choose from their extensive all-day breakfast menu. There are also salads, wraps and focaccias available to order for lunch. The cafe offers gluten-free and vegan options.

Address: 84-86 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Trail Street Coffee Shop

The Trail Street Coffee Shop is a bit of an institution in Wagga. Established in 1999, the cafe grinds up specialty beans from Full Circle Coffee Roasters and serves one of the best coffees you’ll find in town.

It’s the kind of quirky, edgy cafe you’d expect to find in diverse Sydney suburbs like Marrickville, with lycra-clad cyclists sitting outside enjoying their coffee pit stop, early risers typing away on their laptops and groups of young and old who come for the food, coffee and company. Top it all off with a stellar breakfast and lunch menu and you can see why this is a local favourite.

a close-up shot of a brunch meal at Trail St Coffee Shop, Wagga Wagga — Stop by for brunch at Trail St Coffee Shop. (Image: Justine Brentenall)

Address: 34 Trail Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Cottontail Restaurant & Winery

While Wagga Wagga is filled with cosy pubs that have extensive wine lists, it’s worth heading out of town and checking out drops straight from the vine. This family-owned-and-run restaurant and vineyard is just 15 minutes from the centre of town. Ask for a seat on the deck so you can enjoy the view (they have ample heating, so don’t worry about the cold).

Cottontail’s menu offers a mix of real good comfort food and modern dining, so you can share a few wood-fired pizzas or go a bit fancier with crispy pork belly or the trio of lamb. Don’t skip dessert – the rice chocolate pave with salted caramel, toasted hazelnuts and ice-cream is not to be missed.

a close-up shot of food at Cottontail Restaurant & Winery, Wagga Wagga — Discover cheesy favourites at Cottontail Restaurant & Winery.

Address: 562 Pattersons Road, Eunanoreenya, NSW

The Artisan Baker

You can even find a little slice of France in Wagga at the Artisan Baker on Morgan Street in the town centre. The French-born owner and baker creates the most delectable French pastries, sweets and fresh, crunchy, soft-centred baguettes.

Address: 2/189 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Wagga Wagga accommodation

Wagga Wagga is an RV-friendly town, but if you’re heading in sans caravan it’s worth considering some of the state’s most unique and luxurious accommodation options that can be found just outside of Wagga. You’ll leave feeling refreshed from a rural escape in the Riverina and energised from the peaceful surrounds of the Australian bush.

Kimo Estate

Nothing says cosy, country escape like a couple of nights in a wooden-and-glass eco hut on top of a hill, complete with a fireplace, expansive views of the night sky and nothing but rolling green hills to see in every direction.

A stay at one of Kimo Estate’s eco huts is luxury glamping at its absolute best. Linger under the rainfall shower and lather up the beautiful Leif body products, then sit by the fire with a glass or two of Gundagai’s own Borambola Wines shiraz.

a wood-fired hot tub outside the Sweeney's Eco Hut on Kimo Estate, Nangus near Gundagai. — Soak in a wood-fired hot tub outside your rustic eco hut. (Image: Destination NSW)

A gourmet dinner basket for two is available to order and delivered direct to your door ready to cook on the barbecue. Breakfast isn’t overlooked either. You’ll find homemade baked beans, eggs, bacon, cherry tomatoes in balsamic dressing and fresh sourdough bread in the bushman outdoor fridge.

Kimo Estate bedroom — Wake up to the countryside at Kimo Estate (image: Matt Beaver).

The eco hut has everything you need to unwind from the busyness of life and reconnect with nature. While it is closer to Gundagai than Wagga, as you’re sitting on the deck watching the sun drop behind the hills of Kimo and the sky change from hues of pink to purple and blue, you’ll agree it is more than worth the drive.

the scenic grounds of Kimo Estate, Nangus near Gundagai — Kimo Estate features luxury A-frame Eco hut cottages. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 1218 Nangus Road, Gundagai, NSW

Things to do in Wagga Wagga

There is plenty to experience in and around Wagga; you’ll find everything from foodie experiences and wineries to Aboriginal cultural tours.

Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours

I can’t recommend the Bundyi Cultural Tours enough. Spending a couple of hours with Mark Saddler, a proud Wiradjuri man, will enrich your understanding of the local Aboriginal culture in significant ways. Not only do you get to learn about plants, animals, the Wiradjuri language, tool-making and bush tucker on a walking tour of central Wagga; but Mark encourages respectful discussion of the impact of what has been taken from his people and his vision for how we can work together towards a better future.

visitors admiring the scenery during a walking tour with Bundyi Cultural Tours — Soak up the history and majestic scenery in Wagga Wagga with Bundyi Cultural Tours. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 7/295 Copland St, Wagga Wagga NSW

Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory

Could there be a better combination than licorice and chocolate? Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory . Owner Neil Druce is as much of a town attraction as the restored flour mill that houses his factory. Back in 1998 he had the ingenious idea to use the wheat and spelt grown on his family’s Green Grove Organics farm in Ardlethan to make licorice. Today his products can be found in shops all around Australia and overseas.

Tours are open to the public daily and allow visitors to see the magic happen behind the scenes. You can also make your own giant chocolate freckle or rocky road, or if you’d rather just eat it all you can stock up on sweets at the shop at the end.

Stay for lunch at the Millroom restaurant and if you’re visiting on a weekend there is live music from 11 am to 3 pm.

Address: 45-61 Lord Street, Junee, NSW

Coolamon Cheese Tour and Tasting

Is cheese your love language? You’ll want to take a drive to Coolamon Cheese . Take a tour of the cheese factory, eat a cheese-inspired meal (can recommend the nachos) and top it all off with a tasting platter of the Coolamon Cheese range.

Its range of semi-hard cheeses uses native ingredients such as bush tomato, alpine pepper, lemon myrtle and river mint to create uniquely Australian flavours. It also makes an impressive range of blue, soft and hard cheeses. All its cheese is handmade onsite and developed under the guidance of international award-winning cheesemaker, Jenn Nestor.

Make sure you stock up on accompaniments for your selection of take-home cheeses, like vanilla figs and spiced pumpkin chutney – the shop’s selection of providores is highly curated, and all products are designed to complement the cheeses on offer.

Take your time choosing from many varieties at Coolamon Cheese Co.

Address: 87 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, NSW

Borambola Wines cellar door tasting

Make time for a wine tasting at Borambola Wines . The owner-operator Tim McMullen is as much of a gifted storyteller as he is winemaker. There is a tale behind every wine you taste, from the time Prince Charles announced his “double joy" at tasting Tim’s wines to the bullet scars in the walls of the Old Borambola Homestead left behind after a visit from the notorious bushranger Captain Moonlite in the late 1800s.

Taste a selection of his red, white and sparkling wines, as well as his Tuckerbox ‘Hoppy Lager’ beer and apple cider; best enjoyed alongside a cheese platter. If you’re a red wine lover, you should definitely purchase a few bottles of the Hiraji’s Spell shiraz and Moonlight cabernet sauvignon.

The cellar door is open Thursday to Monday for tastings by appointment or book in a group tasting.

the exterior of Borambola Wines homestead — Head to Borambola Wines for a glass of chardonnay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 1734 Sturt Highway, Borambola, NSW

Charles Sturt Winery

While you’re on the wine-tasting circuit, make another stop at Charles Sturt Wines cellar door on the university campus. You’ll find a selection of Charles Sturt’s boutique wine range to taste and buy.

After your tasting, we’d recommend ordering a cheese platter, a bottle of wine and sitting outside to enjoy the views of the countryside. The cellar door is open for tastings and sales from Wednesday to Sunday.

Wine and cheese board from CSU Winery in Wagga — Order a cheese platter, a bottle of wine and sit outside to enjoy the views of the countryside.

Address: Mambarra Drive, Charles Sturt University Campus, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Food I Am Cooking Class

If you’d call yourself a foodie and you love experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll want to treat yourself to this unique culinary experience. Set up high on a hill overlooking Wagga’s countryside, it’s easy to see why Food I Am’s site doubles as a popular wedding reception location.

The cooking school offers a range of masterclasses run by guest chefs. You’ll be introduced to numerous cooking techniques and cuisines from around the world – and get to eat everything that’s cooked on the day with regional wine and beer to drink. Classes usually run for around four hours. Find the latest available classes to book on its website .

Aerial shot of Food I Am cooking class eating on long table in Wagga Wagga — Don’t miss this cooking class when you’re in Wagga. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 29 Kunzea Place (Off Dunns Road), Springvale, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

Where to eat, stay and play in Wagga Wagga